Mailing list post
From: Jon Szanto (2004-03-28)
Subject: Re: More hysterical name-calling from the ATL
Brian (and, by extension, Jacob, and further extension, list-owner Jeff):
--- In crazy_music@yahoogroups.com, "xenharmonic" <xed@e...> wrote:
> You only have to study
> the archives of the ATL to realize the sheer number of lies told in
> public by Jonathan Szanto, who has lied constantly and lied
> energetically and lied with a vituperation and a sadism that truly
> takes the breath away. Not only has Jonathan Szanto told lie after lie
> after lie in public, he has lied about telling lies -- and then, when
> called on his lies, he lies about having lied about having lied!
> Clearly cases like Jonathan Szanto rise above the ordinary realm of
> everyday lying into the empyrean range of the pathological. And here
> we encounter a strange dreamworld indeed. Life for a pathological liar
> must be incredibly weird. Since every word out of Jonathan Szanto's
> mouth is a lie, can you imagine what it must be like for Szanto?
> Just think of it... Szanto wakes up and probably finds himself
> compelled to say "Well, at least I'm not awake." Then Szanto sees the
> sun is shining and I imagine he has to say, "Darn, it's still night."
> Then Szanto brushes his teeth and probably feels he has to murmur, "I
> guess I don't have time to brush my teeth." Szanto gets dressed and
> in all likelihood mutters to himself, "But I suppose I'll just have to
> avoid getting dressed today."
> And so on.
> Someone who has lied and lied and lied and lied and lied, over and
> over again in public, to the point where essentially everything that
> dribbles out of his mouth is a lie, as Jonathan Szanto has done,
> inhabits a special realm of pathology. The pathological liar, who
> finds finds himself irresistably compelled to say the opposite of the
> truth, is a specimen of human being with whom we seldom come in
> contact...except on the internet.
What can I say? It is pretty difficult, even with the past history that Brian and I share, to view this in print and really not be quite disturbed by it.
But then again, I'm NOT a pathological liar, or any other kind of liar, and I'm willing to bet that most anyone who has spent time in the online posting would realize this. I'm not infallible, but I try to correct errors, and I don't lie to people. End of story. And I wonder what a lawyer would do with the above accusations?
Very lastly, the following from Brian:
> JONATHAN SZANTO -- no CDs of microtonal music, millions of words
> online.
I have produced no CDs because I am a casual composer at best. I don't believe my work is at a point, or of a quality, to need distribution, save for copies I send to friends. Myself, I'd rather not try to force onto listeners inept or mediochre music; other people may feel differently about peddling their own wares.
As for millions of words, I hope Brian is more careful with tuning than he is with comments like this - thousands, perhaps, but that is over nearly 10 years online, and the bulk of it is not all on one subject. Any person with common intelligence and net skills will see that for themselves.
Best to all, I've made my peace with these points.
Cheers,
Jon